Abstract: A mowing mechanism having a spindle rotatively driven by a power source, a blade having a radially inner portion coupled for rotation with the spindle and a radially outer portion for cutting vegetation, a housing within which the blade rotates, and a disc coupled for rotation with the spindle and operatively carried within the housing for rotation with the blade and spaced above the blade. The inner and outer portions of the disc serve to channel air and clippings to the inner portion of the blade. The rotating disc prevents accumulation of the grass clippings beneath the disc and housing, and enhances airflow within the housing due to viscous drag or friction between the disc and the air within the housing. Deflectors carried by the disc are designed to further enhance airflows and generally deflect clippings back toward the inner portion of the blade for mulching.

Abstract: An improved lawnmower mulching attachment for comminuting grass clippings cut by the mower is provided having a housing defining a mulching chamber, a rotatable mulching impeller within the chamber and a duct intercommunicating the housing and the mower deck, wherein the attachment effectively utilizes the momentum of the laterally discharged grass clippings and suction pressure created by the mulching impeller to transfer the clippings from the mower deck to the mulching chamber. The housing includes an outlet for discharging the comminuted grass clippings and a bottom wall having an inlet leading to the mulching chamber. The housing is mounted above the mower deck of the mower such that the upright axis of the mulching impeller is laterally offset from the upright axis of the cutting element. Further, the duct is connected between the inlet of the housing and the lateral discharge of the mower deck for transferring grass clippings from the deck to the chamber.

Abstract: The new yard-care machine includes features of a mower, a mulching mower and a branch chipper. Such machine has a cutting blade in an enlarged lower blade chamber and a fan and a chipper plate in an enlarged upper fan chamber. A restriction separates the chambers and a leaf and grass-comminuting mulching blade is interposed in the restriction between the blade and the plate. The machine shroud has an exhaust port equipped with an optional diffuser for spreading finely-divided mulch on a lawn. The shroud also has an opening through which branches can be introduced to the chipper plate. The resulting branch chips are exhausted into a collection bag. Manual and self-propelled ("walk behind" or riding) versions and various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A mowing system capable of being pulled behind a tractor or other prime mover utilizes a support apparatus for supporting a grass cutter adapted to cut grass as the cutter is rotated and moved forwardly into cutting relationship with grass. The support apparatus includes a wheeled frame for supporting the cutter for rotation and including a guard disposed on the forward side of the cutter. A pair of arm members are pivotally connected between the rear of the tractor and the wheeled frame to accommodate pivotal movement of the wheeled frame between an operative position at which the cutter is positioned for cutting grass disposed generally to one side of the tractor and a deflected position.

Abstract: A multiple implement frame includes front and rear implement mounting bars which maintain a parallel relationship at all times. The rear mounting bar may be displaced either to the left or right through operation of a power cylinder extending between the front mounting bar and an elongated frame member extending to the rear mounting bar. Single or double elongated frame members may be utilized. A single power cylinder is required with the double frame member unit and a pair of power cylinders are used for the single elongated frame unit. A double frame unit forms a parallelogram.

Abstract: A post-processor having a housing in communication with the discharge of a lawn mower. A cutting blade is disposed within the housing for rotation on a driven shaft for finely cutting the materials in the housing, and a discharge opening is formed in the housing above the cutting blade for discharging fine cut materials. An impeller is also disposed within the housing on the shaft for drawing materials past the cutting blades and forcing fine cut materials through the discharge opening. A baffle affixed to the housing adjacent the discharge opening disperses the stream of fine cut materials.

Abstract: A mowing machine comprises a mowing unit and a crushing unit, both suspended in a first frame, the first frame together with the mowing unit (8) and the crushing unit also being suspendedeither to the leading end of a second frame which is provided with ground engaging wheels and a drawbar for connection behind a tractor,or to the lifting hitch at the front side of the tractor. The same type mowing machine is also operable at the forward end of the tractor as well as to the tractor's rear at the left or right side.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mulching grass, leafage, or similar material using a unitary apparatus which cuts and/or collects said material, comminutes, compacts, and conveys said material for broadly spreading thereof on the ground of lawn.

Abstract: A lift arm assembly (30, 32) for a commercial riding mower includes pivotal lift arms (36, 38, 40, 120), each of which is biased downwardly by an adjustable spring arrangement for better control and contact between the underlying turf and the cutting reels supported on the outer ends of the lift arms.

Abstract: A lawn mowing apparatus is disclosed for use with a tractor or an auxiliary apparatus. The apparatus includes a trailer adapted to be connected to the hitch for the tractor, and a boom frame pivotally mounted on and above the trailer. One end of the boom frame supports an engine, while its other end supports a rotary cutting device operatively connected to the engine. A chain link drive element and sprockets engaged therewith effect pivoting movement of the boom frame relative to the trailer over about 280.degree. sweep. A hand operated crank, operable by the rider on the tractor, is operatively connected to selectively pivot the boom frame to a desired position relative to the trailer. This effects swiveling movement of the frame in either direction and, consequently, selective movement of the rotary cutter device during a cutting operation. A pivot pin rotatably supports the boom frame for vertical movement of its opposite ends about the pivot pin.

Abstract: A rotary type lawn mower and mulcher for mounting a tractor characterized by an open-bottom housing with a discharge opening having two or more cutting blades rotatably journaled in the housing and moving in a common cutting plane, a plurality of high speed mulching blades mounted on a single spindle at various heights positioned in the downstream paths of the cutting blades, the individual cutting blades having a longitudinal cutting edge therealong with lateral corrugations throughout the cutting length thereby increasing the cutting plane depth of each blade whereby the vertical height within the housing above the cutting blades is substantially filled with the cutting planes of the mulching blades whereby the grass clippings from the cutting blades are finely cut and discharged at increased velocities through a discharge opening and a deflection chute positioned downstream thereof with a variable height dam extending into the discharge path of the mulching blades whereby the finely-cut clippings are defle

Abstract: A multi-spindle mower deck containing a plurality of mower blades rotatably supported in a deck housing. A plurality of blow-out plates strategically located and fixably mounted to the forward sidewall of the housing below the mower blades.

Abstract: A mower housing having a plurality of chambers (11 and 12) so proportioned in capacity, and cutting blades (13 and 14) therein, so proportioned in capacity that one chamber and blade can handle and advance the grass clippings blown with air from the other chamber and blade as well as the grass clippings blown with air produced in that one chamber. The housing having means (25) for controlling and directing the flow of grass cuttings discharged from the housing and means (26) for collecting in increments in the form of tufts or bunches and the ejecting of such increments by the mower blade.

Abstract: A multiblade rotary lawnmower is disclosed that includes a pair of rotary blade members that are located in tandem relation but are disposed such that the swath of cut of the rear blade member overlaps with the swath of cut of the forward blade member, the rear blade member also fine cutting the area that is first cut by the first blade member and further mulching the grass and vegetation as cut thereby.

Abstract: A frame assembly mounted in the windrow discharge area on a swather or windrower on which a plurality of vertical assemblies, are mounted thereto. On these assemblies are mounted fraying and cutting blades. These blades are operated at a required speed to fray and distort the tips of the stubble and/or cut and reduce the length of the straw of the standing stubble so as to ensure that the supportive strength of the straw is not exceeded by the weight of the swath or windrow placed upon it. This will eliminate any distortion or buckling of the remaining conditioned standing stubble straws. A windrow delivery plate is mounted on the swather frame assembly within the windrow discharge area. This plate assures delivery of the windrowed material onto the swath support fingers which effect a gradual release of the windrowed material onto the remaining standing frayed and conditioned stubble directly behind the frayer conditioners track of travel in the field.

Abstract: A foliage trimmer having a housing connected to a source of suction, a fly cutter rotatably mounted therein, and a bar cutter mounted along the lower leading edge of the housing. The fly cutter and the bar cutter are driven simultaneously by drive means mounted on the housing.

Abstract: A mulching mower and clean-up machine, adapted to cut and finely mulch grass, leaves and the like, is provided. A first blade member, supported on the underside of a movable housing, is adapted to cut grass and leaves on the ground and to discharge the cuttings through a discharge opening on the housing. A mulching chamber, mounted on the mower housing, includes an opening for receiving the discharged cuttings. A second blade member included in the mulching chamber, finely mulches the cuttings and discharges them through a further opening in the mulching chamber. A storage chamber is removably mounted on the mulching chamber for receiving the mulched cuttings.

Abstract: A rotary mower is provided with a housing penetrated by a shaft mounted on a vertical axis for rotation relative to the housing. A cutting blade is fixed to the shaft for rotation relative to the housing, and the shaft and the cutting blade are driven by a prime mover connected to the shaft outside the mower housing. According to the invention, a mulching blade is mounted on the shaft above the cutting blade and within the housing for rotation relative to the shaft and the housing, and a transmission operative connects the motive means and the mulching blade for rotating the later coaxially with and in a direction opposite from that of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A machine for cutting the tops of plants into predetermined uniform lengths, includes a support structure and moving means for moving the support structure relative to the plants. The machine further includes a first cutter for cutting the plants from the ground at a first length, a second cutter for cutting the plants at an intermediate length, gripper and conveyor for gripping the plants and conveying them from the first cutter to the second cutter so that the plants can be cut at an intermediate length, third cutter for cutting the tops of the plants into the predetermined uniform lengths, and aligner and conveyor for receiving the plants from the gripper and conveyor and aligning the tops thereof and conveying the plants to the third cutter.

Abstract: A lift arm assembly (30, 32) for a commercial riding mower includes pivotal lift arms (36, 38, 40, 120), each of which is biased downwardly by an adjustable spring arrangement for better control and contact between the underlying turf and the cutting reels supported on the outer ends of the lift arms.